I’m typically not a fan of when LinkedIn publishes your work anniversaries. But today is a rare exception. Today marks my 10th anniversary of being an Instructor for the Association of National Advertisers (ANA).
I’ve been honored to be part of ANA’s Marketing Training & Development Center over the last decade. If you are not familiar with the ANA, they are the advertising industry’s oldest and largest trade association.
Focused on driving growth, the ANA works with its members to become more effective marketers, build stronger brands, and benefit humanity through bold leadership and innovative programs.
I facilitate six different virtual and in-person workshops with the ANA, but here are my top three most requested:
– Journey Mapping Your Customer Experience
– Effective Communication & Presentation Skills
– Excelling Under Pressure to Lead Effective Teams
Looking forward to another decade of working with Mark Liebert, Lisa Guhanick, Jerusha Harvey, and the entire team.
Stan Phelp's Blog
The Goldfish Chronicles
Sharing insights on customer experience, employee engagement, and brand strategy.
It was because the movie decided to leverage the Pink Goldfish strategy of Lopsiding. Greta Gerwig, who directed and co-wrote the script with Noah Baumbach, told “Architectural Digest” that the color was all-important to the movie.
“Maintaining the ‘kid-ness’ was paramount. I wanted the pinks to be very bright, and everything to be almost too much.”
Double and triple down on uniqueness. That’s Lopsiding.
For background, PINK is an interesting color with a unique history…
Pink was first used as a color name in English in the late 1600s. Prior to that, there was no formal recognition that pink was even a color. Some still argue that, scientifically speaking, pink isn’t a color because it doesn’t exist in the light spectrum.
The golden age for pink was during the Rococo Period in the 1700s. Pastel colors became fashionable in all the courts of Europe. Pink was particularly championed by the mistress of Louis XV, Madame de Pompadour.
Throughout the 1800s and into the early 1900s, pink ribbons or decorations were often worn by young boys in England. That’s right. Boys. They were considered small men, and while men in England wore red uniforms, boys wore pink. Pink was seen as a more masculine color than light blue. Let that sink in for a minute. Pink was considered masculine.
A 1918 article in “Ladies Home Journal” explained that “the generally accepted rule is pink for the boys and blue for the girls. The reason is that pink, being a more decided and stronger color, is more suitable for the boy, while blue, which is more delicate and dainty, is prettier for the girl.” Pink was strong. Blue was delicate. Theories to explain this have varied over the years, but it’s generally believed that blue was associated with the Virgin Mary, hence its more feminine connotations, while pink was linked to red, which was seen as a strong and masculine color.
It wasn’t until the mid-1900s that people started choosing pink for girls and blue for boys. This became the accepted norm in the 1940s. The tipping point for pink occurred in 1953. First when the new First Lady of the United States, Mamie Eisenhower, wore a pink gown for the presidential inauguration of her husband, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Then Marilyn Monroe immortalized the color with her iconic pink satin dress while singing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in the movie “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”
In other words, the current mainstream belief that pink is a female color and that blue is a male color is less than 100 years old.
In the book, “Pink: The History of a Punk, Pretty, Powerful Color” by Valerie Steele, she explains that “the pinkification of girl culture really took off in the 1970s and 1980s when Mattel, Inc. had Barbie acquire a new, predominantly pink wardrobe.” More and more, pink was associated with youthful femininity.
What are you lopsiding?
“Be Like a Goldfish.” That was the last four words of Ted Lasso. It is also the first of three life lessons from the iconic show.
OK – you might think I’m partial to Goldfish because of my books. But to steal a line from Will Ferrell in the movie Elf, “It’s just nice to meet another human who shares my affinity for goldfish culture.”
If you haven’t seen the show, Coach Ted Lasso poses a question to Sam Obisanya, “What’s the happiest animal on Earth?”
Sam is a young Nigerian right-back for AFC Richmond. He’s struggling to find his footing and he’s hard on himself after making mistakes. He shrugs.
Lasso shares, “It’s a goldfish. You know why?”
Sam is puzzled and shakes his head.
Coach continues, “Got a 10-second memory… Be a goldfish, Sam.”
The life lesson from Coach Lasso is don’t dwell on the bad. Forget it and concentrate on the next opportunity.
The second lesson is about effort. The scene begins with the coaching staff watching the players on the pitch.
Coach Beard to Ted, “They can’t maintain their lines. [Ted sighs] These guys are just not in sync.”
Ted calls the team over, “No. No, no. Guys, come on. That ain’t gonna cut it. Y’all gotta be together on this, all right?”
The camera pulls back and reveals that Ted is trying to teach the team a 90s dance routine.
“It’s like this.[Ted demonstrates his best N’Sync form] You may hate me, but it ain’t no lie. Yeah? Then the hands. ‘Bye, bye, bye.’ All right? And watch my jumps. ‘Ain’t no lie.’ See how I’m jumping? Like I’m a marionette. That’s why this song is on the album, ‘No Strings Attached,’ all right?”
[The team murmurs in agreement]
Ted emphasizes, “Yes. Okay, good. Now, look, fellas, performing this at Doc’s going-away party ain’t gonna mean Bo Jackson diddly squat unless she can tell how hard we worked on it. You know what I mean? It ain’t the execution. That ain’t the gift. It’s the effort. Yeah? Okay? You see what I mean?”
Life Lesson: Effort matters
The third lesson comes from my favorite scene in the first season. Ted bets on a game of darts against the villainous Rupert Manion.
Ted is losing badly and needs a near-impossible score of 170 to win.
As he’s about to throw, Ted shares how guys have underestimated him his entire life. He shares that it used to bother him until he saw the Walt Whitman quote, “Be curious, not judgmental.”
He continues his story as he hits a triple 20, “All them fellas that used to belittle me, not a single one of them were curious.”
He shares how their judgments had nothing to do with him because if they were curious, they would’ve asked questions…
“Questions like, have you played a lot of darts Ted?”
Throwing his second dart, he hits another triple 20. Now, he just needs 50 to win.
Ted confirms he played a lot of darts with his late father.
He utters, “Barbeque sauce” and hits the winning bullseye. The bar erupts.
Life Lesson – Curiosity is key.
Through vivid examples like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Japanese art form of kintsugi, and even the unexpected triumph of AI in the game of Go, Rubin demonstrates how embracing flaws and deviating from accepted norms can lead to remarkable breakthroughs.
One of the notable examples that Rubin presents in his book is the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Despite being an architectural flaw, the tower has captivated people around the world for centuries. Rubin suggests that its imperfection adds a unique character and charm. The tower’s lean challenges conventional expectations of perfection, illustrating the beauty that can arise from embracing flaws and limitations.
Rubin also highlights the Japanese art form of kintsugi, where broken pottery is repaired using gold lacquer, transforming the fractures into beautiful, visible scars of gold. Kintsugi philosophy teaches that the repaired object becomes more valuable and beautiful precisely because of its imperfections. Rubin sees this art form as a metaphor for embracing our own personal imperfections and vulnerabilities, emphasizing that they contribute to our uniqueness and enhance our creative journeys.
Rubin delves into the world of artificial intelligence to showcase how unconventional thinking can yield remarkable results. In 2016, Google’s DeepMind developed an AI system called AlphaGo, which played against the world champion and Grand Master, Lee Sedol. Despite being a highly complex game with more possible moves than there are atoms in the universe, AlphaGo managed to defeat Sedol in a move that defied conventional wisdom.
During the match, AlphaGo made a move, known as move 37, which baffled experts and spectators alike. It deviated from the accepted norms and initially seemed like a mistake. However, as the game unfolded, it became apparent that this unconventional move was a stroke of genius. It forced Sedol into unfamiliar territory, disrupting his strategy and eventually leading to AlphaGo’s victory. This instance illustrates the power of thinking beyond established norms and embracing unconventional approaches to problem-solving.
Rubin’s book serves as a powerful reminder that embracing imperfection is not a sign of weakness but rather a testament to the depth and complexity of human creativity.
Want to learn how to embrace imperfection, check out this video on the concept of a Pink Goldfish and the eight ways to stand out:
Are you navigating the gray areas of leading across five generations in the workplace? Today, I’m announcing a limited time fundraiser to benefit Together We Can Change The World.
You can support a worthy cause while unlocking the secrets to successful leadership across generations! For a limited time, I’m offering an exclusive promotion on “Gray Goldfish – Navigating the Gray Areas of Leading Every Generation” an insightful book co-authored with Brian Doyle that delves into the intricacies of effective leadership in today’s diverse workplace.
The Together We Can Change The World (TWCCTW) charity is dedicated to improving the well-being of disadvantaged children and women in Southeast Asia. By supporting this charity, you’ll be making a meaningful difference in their lives, providing them with access to education, healthcare, and opportunities for a brighter future.
Twice a year, TWCCTW puts on a tour for speakers. Next month I’ll join Scott Friedman, CSP, Jana Stanfield, Jonathan Low Global Speaking Fellow, CSP, ICF MCC, Frank Furness, Jean Marie DiGiovanna, Dr. Jerome Joseph, CSP, Roshan Thiran, Delphine Ang, and Dr. Justin Cohen for a speaking tour in the Philippines, Malaysia, and Cambodia from June 13-26.
Here are the three fundraising options:
Package 1: Individual Book and Generational Matrix – $20
Discover the keys to unlocking your leadership potential and understanding the dynamics of different generations in the workplace. For just $20, you’ll receive:
A thought-provoking copy of “Gray Goldfish – Leading Across the Generations.” Bonus: you’ll receive the comprehensive Generational Matrix, providing valuable insights on how to recruit, train, inspire, and manage each generation.
Package 2: Group Bundle – $100
Enhance your leadership skills and foster a harmonious work environment by sharing the knowledge with your team. For $100, you’ll receive:
A bundle of six copies of “Gray Goldfish – Leading Across the Generations,” perfect for distributing among your colleagues or gifting to fellow leaders and
six Generational Matrices, allowing each team member to gain a deeper understanding of their generational traits and strengths.
Package 3: Leadership Immersion – $275 [Only 2 available]
Take your leadership journey to new heights with our ultimate package. For $275, you’ll receive:
A group bundle of 15 copies of “Gray Goldfish – Leading Across the Generations,” empowering you to inspire and educate a larger audience.
Fifteen Generational Matrices, ensuring each member of your organization has access to valuable insights. And a BONUS 30-minute virtual Q&A session with me, where you can ask personalized questions and gain expert guidance on leading across generations.
Here is the donation link: https://www.twcctw.org/donate-to-support-stan-phelps/
It’s a simple two-step process:
1. Donate $20, $100, or $275 on the link above.
2. Send me an email to [email protected] or a Linkedin message with your preferred postal address and I’ll ship the books.All donations go directly to TWCCTW and are 100% tax deductible. Thank you for your support and dedication to making a positive impact in the world.
After 19 years in the NBA, Carmelo has retired from professional basketball. He did on the doorstep of the NBA Finals. And on the day that the team that drafted him finally made it to the League Championship Series.
Back to being CLUTCH. I’m talking about performing in key moments when the game is on the line. Most people would describe it as “elevating” your game when the pressure begins to mount.
But here’s the reality. For every player in the NBA, their performance doesn’t elevate. In fact, shooting percentages drop drastically when the game is on the line.
Except for Carmelo. The 10 time All Star bucks the trend. His shooting percentages during the game and at the end in critical moments are almost identical. When everyone is falling off, Melo has demonstrated the ability to stay in control.
In the book “Diamond Goldfish,” Travis Carson, JD/MBA, Tony Cooper, and I write about the importance of staying under control and performing under pressure.
We acknowledge that humans are advanced beings living in a modern world, but it turns out we are still operating on fairly primitive biology. And under pressure, that biology predictably runs our hardwired survival strategy every time it detects a threat.
Overcoming that pressure isn’t easy. It requires us to think and respond differently. In the words of MMA Champion Conor McGregor, “I don’t feel pressure in a negative way. I like pressure. I feel excitement and calm at the same time. No pressure, no diamonds.”
So, here is a salute to Carmelo. He is an NCAA Champion, a 3 time Gold Medalist, and a 30,000 point scorer in the NBA. And the closest thing to being CLUTCH in the last quarter century. Melo rose to the challenge of the first line of Rudyard Kipling’s immortal poem “IF”
“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs…”
Want to learn more about excelling under pressure, here is a 10-minute video talking about the concept of the Diamond Goldfish:
I’ve heard people say employee well-being is just a bunch of woo-woo. Turns out it is more Ric Flair, “WOOOO!”
A report from researchers at Oxford and Harvard this month has shown a strong positive relationship between employee wellbeing and firm performance.
The study aggregated data from over 1,600 listed companies in the US. It measured the impact of job satisfaction, purpose, happiness, and stress. Using these wellbeing measures to predict firm performance, Jan-Emmanuel De Neve, Micah Kaats, and George Ward found that wellbeing is associated with firm profitability.
Credit to my “Yellow Goldfish: Nine Ways to Increase Happiness in Business to Drive Growth, Productivity, and Prosperity” co-author Rosaria Cirillo Louwman CCXP CiHS for sharing the report.
The research found that companies with the highest levels of wellbeing also subsequently outperform standard benchmarks in the stock market. In fact, if you invested $1,000 in companies with strong employee wellbeing in January 2021, you’d have $1,300 by the start of March 2023. A similar investment in the S&P 500 would have netted you just $1,100. That’s a 200% difference. Can I get another Ric Flair, “WOOOO!”
Not familiar with the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, here is a few WOOOO’s to bring you up to speed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0t6llGkBLo
My late Father had a funny saying when talking laissez-faire approach to a future plan or event, “We’ll take a picture and see what develops.”
The reference was to film. When you sent a roll to be processed, you never knew what might develop. And that was even more so with instant photography.
Part of the joy of a Polaroid photo was the chemical uncertainty. The potential flaws during exposure had the ability to make a photo awesome. Or as my “Pink Goldfish” co-conspirator David Rendall would say, “FLAWSOME.”
Enter Reclaimed Blue 600
While trying to improve the film process, Polaroid chemist Brian Slaguis used TBHQ in a color paste. The chemical, which is typically used in black-and-white, created a strikingly blue-tinted film. Call it a happy accident.
Instead of discarding the flaw as a mistake, Polaroid has decided to leverage Pink Goldfish strategy and lean into the imperfection. They have made Reclaimed Blue 600 film available for purchase.
Perfection is highly overrated. Seth Godin shares, “I’m way more interested and spend far more time and money on the imperfect things, the things that might not work, the ideas and services, and products that dance around the edges. If you’re going to offer something that’s imperfect, by all means, make it as good as you possibly can, but embrace the fact that you’re not selling perfect. You’re selling interesting.”
Polaroid gets it. I love this quote by their chairman, Oskar Smolokowski, “When you hold a Polaroid photo as it develops, you hold one of the most chemically-complex processes ever created. It’s this blend of art and science that makes Polaroid photography beautifully imperfect.”
Oskar knows what Lao Tsu proffered back nearly 3,000 years ago…
“Perfection is the willingness to be imperfect.”
A recent study by McKinsey & Company found that companies that improve the experience for current customers grow twice as fast as their industry peers.
There were two of the stats that stood out to me:
1. Compensating for the value of one lost customer can require the acquisition of three new customers.
2. 80 percent of the value creation achieved by growth companies comes from unlocking new revenues from existing customers.
McKinsey calls out the need to create a “distinctive customer experience.” I call it DX, a differentiated experience. Because your brand today is no longer what you tell people it is. It is the differentiated experience your employees deliver. It is what you stand for and how your customers “feel” about you. And most importantly, your brand is what your customers tell others about their experience.
Takeaway: Take care of the customers you have and they’ll bring you the customers you want.
Here is the progression of 10 years and 11 different colors, metals, and one gem in the Goldfish Series.
My first book Purple Goldfish came out in January 2012 and the Goldfish series was born. In the initial trilogy, Purple Goldfish focused on the little things you could do to improve the customer experience, Green Goldfish examined how to drive engagement to improve the employee experience, and the third book, Golden Goldfish, uncovered the importance of your “vital few” in business. Specifically, how do you do the little things to take care of your best customers and employees?
The fourth book, Blue Goldfish, revealed how to leverage technology, data, and analytics to improve the customer experience. Blue was a reference to a tenth-century Danish king. Blue represents the convergence of big data and little data coming together to deliver high-level personalized experiences.
In the fifth color, Red Goldfish explored how being “for purpose” drives happiness and adds a sense of meaning for customers, employees, and society. Red was inspired by the lead singer of the band U2.
In the sixth color, Pink Goldfish returned to the marketing roots of Purple. It examined differentiation and how to create competitive separation in business. The idea that your flaws hold the keys to what makes you awesome. Pink was inspired by my co-author David Rendall.
The seventh color was yellow. Yellow Goldfish looked at how companies can do a little extra to contribute to the happiness of their customers, employees, and society. yellow was inspired by the warmth of the sun and a design created by Harvey Ball.
The eighth color was Gray. Gray Goldfish examined how to navigate the gray areas of leading five different generations in the workforce. It is no longer a “one-size-fits-all” leadership proposition.
The ninth color was literally a gem. The Diamond Goldfish was about sales and client management. It explored how to excel under pressure and operate via the Diamond Rule in business. The use of Diamond was inspired by how the gem is created. To quote Henry Kissinger, “A diamond is a chunk of coal that did well under pressure.” That brings us to silver.
The 10th color, Silver Goldfish, explores the keys to coming across “Loud” and “Clear” when communicating. Specifically, addressing how to rise above distractions when presenting and how to craft content with clarity in a way that makes your message memorable.
The 11th color is Black Goldfish. Black is the culmination of what I’ve learned over the last 10 years about DX. DX is achieved by creating a differentiated experience.
A decade, many colors, metals, and one gem.
I've had the pleasure of working with teams at:
Find Your Best-Match Program
With over 18 possible keynote speaking presentations, workshops, and GOLDFISH TANK programs available to meet your ever-evolving needs, I’ve created this 2-minute, 6-question quiz to help you understand which program is best for you and your audience.
Meet Your Presenter
Through keynote speaking presentations, hands-on workshops, and GOLDFISH TANK programs, I empower you to power loyalty and growth.
Hi, I’m Stan Phelps. I work with organizations that want to increase loyalty, drive sales, and promote positive word-of-mouth by creating differentiated experiences.
As an author, keynote speaker, and workshop facilitator, my in-person and virtual programs stand out in a sea of sameness because I model my own message of differentiated experience (DX).
I leverage my unique collection of more than 5,500 case studies on customer, employee, and brand experience to engage audiences with practical ideas that inspire action.
Every time we do business together, Something amazing happens in the world!
Through my partner B1G1, each program gives back to create global IMPACT
When we complete a GOLDFISH TANK, we give 1001 days of clean water to school children
When we complete a GLOBAL engagement, we give 365 days of clean water access in Peru, 120 days of learning aids in Malaysia, and 50 days of business training for women in Malawi
When someone downloads a GOLDFISH eBook, we give one brick toward building school facilities in Cambodia
Quite impactful
"It was great to have Stan speak to our team on two sides of the world. Considering all the different brand examples he has studied, it was quite impactful to hear him discuss how different brands find ways to stand out. I'm sure our teams had good food for thought as we brainstorm about how to deliver a six-star experience to our own customers."
CEO, PrizePicks
His delivery and engagement of the audience were outstanding
"Stan Phelps made a virtual Toronto stop as part of the cross North America book tour featuring his book with co-author David Rendall, Pink Goldfish. Not only was his message intriguing: his delivery and engagement of the audience were outstanding too. Both during the event and after, with heated comments in the chat and later on social media. Here is one of them: "So refreshing to hear insights from Stan Phelps and David Rendall about Pink Goldfish and how brands should avoid being normal." Stan is an absolutely F.L.A.W.S.O.M.E. speaker - one who not only tells you how to stand out in a crowd - he shows you how he does it!"
President, AMA Toronto
Our attendees were impressed and spoke about it long after the event
"It was an absolute pleasure to work with Stan he is a very inspiring presenter. Thoughtful to his audience he delivered an outstanding, thought-provoking session to more than 50 leaders [at Tesco]. Our attendees were impressed and spoke about it long after the event - the power of what he shared that stuck out for me was his keynote speech packed full of insightful global examples enabling our audience to apply to the everyday. Would highly recommend."
Managing Director, havas helia
The meeting and presentation by Stan was one of the highlights of the year for my member base
"Made contact with Stan after hearing about the great presentations he had made for other Peer Advisory Groups. Stan presented at our biggest event of the year in 2023 for our all-member meeting. The meeting and presentation by Stan was one of the highlights of the year for my member base. Stan does not disappoint, highly recommend his workshops."
President / Owner, Renaissance Executive Forums – Inland Empire
His content, rich in practical and transformative ideas, resonated deeply, sparking not just interest but actionable inspiration
"Stan Phelps' keynote at the Malaysia Leadership Summit was a masterclass in engagement and insight, captivating the audience with his dynamic presence and profound wisdom. His content, rich in practical and transformative ideas, resonated deeply, sparking not just interest but actionable inspiration. Phelps' unique ability to blend storytelling with data-driven insights turned his session into a memorable experience, leaving attendees enlightened and empowered to make a positive change. His approach exemplifies the power of innovative thinking in leadership and organizational growth."
Founder, Leadernomics
I highly recommend having Stan discuss with your team his insights on employee and customer engagement
"Stan joined us at our annual leadership conference, and the Purple & Green Goldfish presentation was very engaging. He brought great energy to a day full of data and procedures. Our team took away many points and perspectives from Stan's presentation and even incorporated some into a check-in process for new hires. I highly recommend having Stan discuss with your team his insights on employee and customer engagement; it was extremely valuable to all who attended."
Marketing Manager, Sunstates Security
The interactivity, relevance, and content was exactly what we were looking for
"Thank you so much for an engaging workshop, Stan! The interactivity, relevance, and content was exactly what we were looking for. The NYC team had wonderful immediate feedback and were already talking through some practical applications."
Global Enablement Lead, Trip Advisor
Stan connected with our audience in a great way and everyone left excited about the message and really appreciated us inviting Stan to speak
"Stan connected with our audience in a great way and everyone left excited about the message and really appreciated us inviting Stan to speak. The pre-meeting with Stan and his preparation made the difference in how he connected with us. Definitely would have him back and would highly recommend him to anyone."
Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Presbyterian Healthcare Services
Our team enjoyed the training so much, we are planning to do the same one with another group of associates in the coming months
"Stan conducted a virtual customer journey mapping workshop for members of my team with varying experience levels and knowledge on the topic. His presentation was relevant, engaging and entertaining! It is not an easy task to keep a large group’s attention for a three hour virtual training, but Stan managed to do so with great content, energy and interactive breakout sessions. Our team enjoyed the training so much, we are planning to do the same one with another group of associates in the coming months. I would definitely recommend Stan as a training instructor / speaker in the future!"
Senior Manager, Digital Marketing & Communications, Dealer Tire
We loved the presentation so much that we brought it back to our internal team and are now all reading the Gray Goldfish book
"We booked Stan for an internal company conference. Stan was extremely responsive and accommodating to all our clients' requests. He was engaging and insightful when discussing how to successfully lead every generation. We loved the presentation so much that we brought it back to our internal team and are now all reading the Gray Goldfish book. The client was very pleased and we have also already booked him for another event. I would highly recommend bringing Stan in as your conference speaker."
Meeting Coordinator, Designing Events
The feedback from the teams was wholeheartedly positive
"Stan’s concepts and ideas resonate with all different types of leaders and contributors inside our business. The feedback from the teams was wholeheartedly positive. Stan has real-world experiences and best practices that he shares to bring the content down to an easily understood approach."
Vice President, Strategic Sales and New Business Development, Ricoh Graphic Communications
Highly recommend Stan for your next keynote!
"Stan Phelps was an engaging and funny keynote for us and shared a strong message about employee engagement with our group. The strategies he shared about improving employee morale, getting higher performance from employees, and focusing on culture are ideas that are being implemented all across our business footprint. We highly recommend Stan for your next keynote!"
